The Best Headphones for Flying in 2026

What matters in flight headphones

• Noise cancelling quality, especially the low rumble of jet engines.
• Comfort for 6+ hours.
• Battery life with NC on (target 20+ hours).
• Foldable for stowage.
• Bluetooth + wired options for in-flight entertainment.

The shortlist

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

The benchmark for noise cancelling on planes. Comfortable for long-haul. Excellent transparency mode.

Sony WH-1000XM6

Slightly better sound quality than Bose, equally good NC. Marginal differences come down to fit.

Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)

Best for iPhone users — seamless device switching, spatial audio for movies. Heavy for long-haul.

Apple AirPods Pro 2

Stunning NC for in-ears. Best for travelers who hate over-ear bulk.

Sennheiser Momentum 4

Best sound quality of the bunch; slightly weaker NC than Bose/Sony.

Travel accessories

• Airline plug adapter — many seatback systems still use 3.5mm dual jack.
• Hard shell case — over-ears get crushed in seatbacks otherwise.

Pair with the trip

Pin the flight in FlightyFlow. When the Live Activity shows you've landed, take the headphones off — the app's bag carousel info beats the airport signage.